Passing up the upcoming captaincy of NCAA finalist Wisconsin was difficult, Ryan McDonagh says, but he wants to start his Ranger career.

“No guarantees, but I’m going to go there in as good shape as possible and give it my best shot,” said McDonagh, the 2007 first-rounder the Rangers obtained from Montreal last summer in the Scott Gomez deal.

The Rangers yesterday announced agreeing to terms with the 6-foot-1, 218-pound defenseman, taken 12th overall by the Habs in ’07.

“Really excited. Big city, big market, a lot of history in an original six franchise,” McDonagh said.

McDonagh, 21, was Minnesota’s schoolboy Mr. Hockey in 2007 and was 4-15-18 with 73 penalty minutes and plus-22 in 43 games for the Badgers last season. Regarded as a tough competitor, he adds some offensive flair to his solid own-end style.

McDonagh’s rights were dealt to the Rangers with Chris Higgins and D Pavel Valentenko for Gomez, Tom Pyatt and defenseman Mike Busto June 30, 2009.